Today is Groundhog Day! The day has special meaning for me as it reminds me of one of my most cherished memories.
Twenty years ago I took my first long motorcycle trip, from New York to North Dakota. Four thousand miles in eight days. On the way home, I rode east with no plan other than to head in that general direction. I wasn't looking at a map, it was before GPS and my route consisted of unknown small roads.
Riding through western Pennsylvania I suddenly saw a big wooden statue of a... groundhog? Yes, a groundhog. How odd. Then, I saw another. And another. Without warning, I'd entered Punxsutawney which is the worldwide capital of Groundhog Day. It is where groundhog Phil rules the weather forecast. I stopped and walked around: the entire town is devoted to groundhog-worship.
A few years ago I returned for another visit. Punxsutawney is a small rural town in the middle of nowhere but they've adopted a theme and it draws tourists from far away.
Do you believe groundhogs can predict the weather?
I have no clue but they sure are cute!
ReplyDeleteGreeting from the land of snow and ice: having walked ankle-deep in snow for the past week I can say, with absolute certainty, that winter is going nowhere fast, never mind what Phil says...
ReplyDeleteI don't believe that groundhogs can do that, but I do love that movie! ;-P
ReplyDeleteIt's a classic. They are turning it into a Broadway musical.
DeleteGreat post!! I never heard about it , but seems interesting!
ReplyDeletehttps://clickbystyle.blogspot.in/
Those folks have found a tourist draw and they play it up well
ReplyDeleteWe have 10 different "famous" groundhogs up here to keep up that tradition. Wiarton Willie is the closest to where I live. They aren't quite as groundhog crazy in Wiarton as they are in Punxsutawney but then again they always seem to go BIG in the States.
ReplyDeleteSuzanne
It's our national character. We take something good and exploit it beyond reason and turn it into something questionable. It's the American way.
DeleteAwww, what sweet photos! Thanks for sharing, and what a fun and unexpected roadtrip that must have been :) I love the movie Groundhog Day. Maybe I'll watch it this weekend!
ReplyDeleteOh, and yes. I always trust the groundhog. ha!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your weekend!!
LOL yep. Groundhogs know everything! Too funny that you found yourself in the Groundhog capital of the world!
ReplyDeleteI'd never heard of Punxsutawney, and I'm certainly not going to try and pronounce it, but they sure take their groundhog stuff seriously! Thanks for the enlightenment, Ally! xxx
ReplyDeleteThat's funny you randomly made your way there! How fun though - I like that the town really plays it up! :)
ReplyDelete-Lauren
www.shootingstarsmag.net
Whether the groundhog can tell the weather or not is beside the point ... he sure is cute and if it attracts tourists then GO FOR IT!!!!
ReplyDeleteI've always been intrigued by the yearly groundhog ritual. I believe animals can sense weather patterns instinctually, but I also think whether he sees his shadow or not, we usually have about six more weeks of winter. Who knows. Sounds like a really fun trip you had!
ReplyDeleteYes, their animal senses pick up more than we realize.
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